The 2018 Subaru Crosstrek made its world debut in Geneva last year. With a new redesign, it will officially make its U.S. debut at the New York Auto Show 2017.
In the past, Subaru had a modest little SUV called the Outback Sport. It was a derivative of the first-generation Impreza and existed until 2011. It was not the same as a real Outback and it was eventually replaced by the XV Crosstrek.
The cool new crossover SUV officially made it to the United States in 2013. It had interesting colors and cool new wheels. While it had an all new name, it was essentially still the same vehicle: a pseudo-crossover Impreza that had a boxer engine, all-wheel drive, and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).
This car was perfect for people who needed the extra space for their dogs and bikes. Subaru eventually released a hybrid version. It lasted for three years. Now, the newest Crosstrek is finally coming to the United States!
According to a report by Car and Driver, the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek will feature an FB-series 2.0-liter flat-four-cylinder engine. It is capable of 154 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque, similar to the Impreza. It comes with either a six-speed manual or a Lineartronic continuously variable automatic transmission.
The new CVT offers seven ratio steps which can mimic a normal automatic's gears. It also adds a new "X mode," which has an improved torque delivery to the 18-inch wheels. This is most apparent during suboptimal driving conditions. The manual transmission is only available on the base and midlevel Premium trims.
The new Impreza has unique and dynamic qualities. The XV should also continue this trend. The automaker claims that the body's torsional stiffness is up; they even claim it is up by 70 percent. There is also a quantifiable difference in the steering's quickness. While the old car's tiller features a 14.0:1 ratio, the new model now features a 13.0:1 rack.
In addition, cornering is also enhanced by Subaru's Active Torque Vectoring system which is brake-based. The car maker also claims the crossover's body roll is down by up to 50 percent. This is due to a revised mounting scheme for its rear anti-roll bar. The Crosstrek offers 8.7 inches of ground clearance and its center of gravity is lowered by 0.2 inches.
In another report by Motor Trend, the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek also features EyeSight driver-assistance. This is not standard on the new Crosstrek and comes on the Premium trims and above. The Premium Trim also features an automated emergency braking system, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning features.
The new body structure of the 2018 Crosstrek also has an increased crash energy absorption by 40 percent. In addition, it has front-seat side-impact aurbags, a driver's knee airbag, and side-curtain airbags. In addition, its new reverse-braking system will also apply the binder in the event the vehicle detects an object in the rear while backing up. Currently, that system is only available on the Limited trim with the EyeSight package.
The interior is also very similar to the Impreza's. Base cars now feature power windows, carpeted floor mats, and an engine immobilizer. Premium cars get a whole new array of options, including a moonroof. Common to both is a 6.5-inch touchscreen that comes equipped with Android Auto or Apple CarPlay integration.
The 2018 Subaru Crosstrek will definitely please the faithful. Catch it at the 2017 New York Auto Show. What do you think about it? Share your thoughts and comments below.
See Now: OnePlus 6: How Different Will It Be From OnePlus 5?
